The Boy Scouts of America, facing litigation, shrinking membership and sweeping acceptance of gay rights, voted to lift its ban on openly gay troop leaders and employees. The national organization is no longer allowed to discriminate its paid workers because of their sexual orientation.

However, local troops and councils will be permitted to decide for themselves whether they will allow openly gay volunteer leaders. About 70% of Boy Scout troops are run by faith-based groups, many from orthodox communities who do not accept gay equality.

The march toward full equality for gay and lesbian Americans has unfolded with unusual speed, and this evolution at the Boy Scouts of America is another step towards equal rights for the LGBT community.